In the U.S., approximately 3.3 million people have OCD and it is found in all ethnic groups.  Both men and women are equally struck by the disorder.

 For quite some time one significant misunderstanding about OCD has been that it was some how the parents fault.  That it must be due to some horrible neglect or abuse by a mother or father.  Fortunately, with the ability to scan the brain, science has shown this to be utter rubbish.  

 Another detrimental misunderstanding is that a person suffering from OCD is crazy or insane.  To call someone insane is to say that they lack the mental awareness to recognize that they have a problem.  This is the exact opposite of how OCD sufferers behave.  They often feel shame, embarrassment, and guilt over their condition and its affect on others.  Definitely not insanity!

 One might expect societal misunderstandings to be easier to deal with because the disconnection to ones day-to-day life, but that is not the case.  Even though societies fears and lack of understanding about OCD may not interrupt the day-to-day life of a sufferer it’s still out there and always on their mind. How could it not be? Anyone who has had to deal with prejudices knows this.  People fear the unknown, especially when it comes to mental disorders.

 The best way to deal with people’s misunderstandings and prejudices is with information.  Regrettably, the best ways are often the slowest.  It’ll take some time to wipe away the disinformation of the past and get truth out there.  But it will happen.

 So many people all over the world suffer from this disorder. Do you? Are you tired of it?